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Helpful Tools

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Our helpful tools assist you before, during, and after you purchase

Whether you are new to RVing, or are looking for additional information to enhance your RV experiences, we have provided these helpful tools to assist you. Below you will find answers to our customer’s most frequently asked questions, definitions to common terms you will see on pages on this website, links to our RV Finder, How-To Videos, and Trailer Life Tow Guides, as well as a payment estimator to estimate monthly statements for various scenarios.

Answers to our most frequently asked questions

Contact Information

Support Center P.O. Box 30
Middlebury, IN 46540
Sales: +1 (800) 353-7383
Service: +1 (800) 453-6064
E-mail: CRVinfo@forestriverinc.com
Website: http://www.coachmenrv.com

P.O. Box 30
Middlebury, IN 46540
Phone: +1 (888) 422-2582
Website: http://www.coachmenowners.com

For Service and Parts: : +1 (800) 453-6064
For Sales: Dealer Locator

General Information

No - We do not sell factory direct. In order to assure the best possible experience, we encourage our customers to purchase their RV from their local dealership. This allows for the development of a meaningful relationship with a dealer in your area that will enhance your RV experience. From a pre-delivery inspection and prep completed by the dealer prior to pick up, thorough product walk through and demonstration at the time of delivery, to assistance with product questions, user tips, and helpful information regarding RV use in your state or county… your buying and ownership experience will be well served through one of our authorized dealers.

By purchasing through your local dealer you are also better assured timely service appointments and warranty repairs should any be required. Forest River, Inc., dealers are independently owned and operated businesses so priority service and scheduling is at their discretion.

You can find your local dealer by selecting a product and entering your zip/postal code on our Dealer Locator.

Coachmen RV Company is a "Wholesale" manufacturer of recreational vehicles. The value of a recreational vehicle is determined at a "retail" level and will vary with market conditions, condition of the RV and region. It is best to seek this information from your local Coachmen Dealer or financial institution. However, the following web address is commonly used as an RV industry guide: www.nadaguides.com

Parts, Chassis & Serial Number Information

The Coachmen Dealer Network is the exclusive distributor of all Coachmen and Sportscoach Parts. To find your nearest Coachmen Dealer, utilize the Dealer Locator or contact us directly at 1-800-453-6064.

Note: Your selected Coachmen dealer will most likely need the Coachmen/Sportscoach Serial Number of the unit in order to research your parts inquiry.

Your satisfaction as a Coachmen owner is of the utmost importance to us. If you should experience any difficulty obtaining Coachmen parts through your Coachmen dealer, please contact us by phone 1-800-453-6064.

Note: While Coachmen can supply many parts for units not in current production, items such as Decor (upholstery, curtains, floor coverings, and furniture) and certain cabinetry items are "run type" or "lot" items and typically are not available long after the model year's production cycle. It may be necessary to utilize a local upholstery or cabinet shop to obtain substitutes for these types of items.

The Serial Number can typically be found on the following documents:

  • Title
  • Insurance Policy
  • Bill of Sale
  • Your Owner Registration Card (Supplied with new unit purchases only)

On the Recreational Vehicle, this varies by year but here are the most common locations:

Older Motorized: (1990 + Before)

  • Stamped into a tag which is mounted to the firewall under the hood. (Rear Diesel-under rear wall hood)
  • Stamped in the entrance door frame (not the door) just above the striker plate. (Found when outside, facing the doorway, with the door open)

Newer Motorized: (After 1990)

  • Class As: Interior in drivers cockpit area, behind seat on sidewall or in cabinet above drivers seat.
  • Exterior tag mounted on firewall framing under hood – front or rear (RD)
  • Class Cs: Sticker in door jam (drivers) and tag under hood to framing (passenger side)

Travel Trailers

  • Stamped into the top of the A-frame in the front of the trailer.
  • Stamped into a tag which is mounted on the top of the A-frame.
  • Stamped in the entrance door frame (not the door) just above the striker plate. (Found when outside, facing the doorway, with the door open)

Fifth Wheels

  • Stamped into the "Pin Box" frame. (Not the adjustable sleeve)
  • Stamped into a tag which is mounted to the "Pin Box" frame.
  • Stamped in the entrance door frame (not the door) just above the striker plate. (Found when outside, facing the doorway, with the door open).
  • Stamped into a steel crossmember in the lower front
  • Compartment (accessed from the front of the unit below the overhang i.e. the front jack leg area) on the driver's side.

  • Since 2009, units manufactured or sold by Coachmen RV a Division of Forest River, Inc., all Coachmen serial numbers are 17 digits and the 1st 3 digits will be 5ZT.
  • Between 1981 and the acquisition of Coachmen RV assets by Forest River, Inc., units manufactured and sold by Coachmen Industries have serial numbers with 17 digits and the 1st 3 digits will be either 1TC or 1TJ.

This is a very common question within the RV industry, not just Coachmen. The chassis of a motorized product is purchased from a chassis manufacturer (Ford, Chevy, Workhorse, Freightliner, Spartan, etc.) as an "Incomplete Vehicle" (with an established chassis serial number). When Coachmen completes the vehicle, we assign a model year and a Coachmen serial number to the coach portion. The RV industry and chassis manufacturer model years change at different times. For example, Coachmen may introduce the 2023 model year unit in June of 2022, but the chassis manufacturer doesn't introduce the 2023 chassis until September of 2022.

Because Coachmen "Completes the Vehicle" and assigns the model year, the value of any Coachmen unit is determined by the model year of the Coachmen, not necessarily the chassis. This may vary by state.

Warranty / Roadside Assistance

Coachmen RV a division of Forest River, Inc., provides a One-Year Limited Warranty. We do not offer any other type of warranty on our products. Many of the suppliers utilized by Coachmen warranty their own products, and some components may have a longer warranty through the actual component manufacturer.

Note: Most RV dealerships sell after-market “Extended Warranty Contracts” that have a variety of terms, conditions and time periods. These may be a viable option depending on your needs. We encourage you to be sure to thoroughly read and understand the contract before purchasing.

RVing is easier with Roadside Assistance included for the first year on most new motorized and towable Coachmen RVs*. This service provides you with 24/7 coverage for the following services:

  • Towing
  • Jump Starts
  • Tire Assistance
  • Delivery of Fuel and Emergency Fluids
  • Locksmith/Lockout Service
  • Winch Out
  • Technical Support
  • RV Mobile Mechanic

*See your dealer for details.
Learn more about Roadside Assistance
 

Our RV Classifications, Commonly Used Terms And Weight Definitions


Product Make

The Product Make is a classification of recreation vehicle that has a substantial degree of commonality in construction of chassis, frame and body, which does not include level of décor, opulence, equipment and price range, and does not have a specific trade mark associated with it.

Class A Rear Diesel (RD) Motorhomes
Built on a rail (or bare) motor vehicle chassis powered by a rear diesel engine.
+ View Class A Diesel Motorhomes
Class A Gas Motorhomes
Built on a rail (or bare) motor vehicle chassis powered by a front gas engine.
+ View Class A Gas Motorhomes
Class B Motorhomes
Built on an automotive manufactured van-type chassis.
+ View Class B Motorhomes
Class C Motorhomes
Built on a cut-away automotive manufactured truck chassis (cab portion in place from chassis manufacturer).
+ View Class C Motorhomes
Toy Haulers
Towable RVs mounted on frame and wheels and designed to be towed by a motor vehicle that is constructed with a roof, floor and sidewalls made of rigid materials with a rear garage type storage facility.
+ View Toy Haulers
Fifth Wheels
Towable RV mounted on frame and wheels and designed to be towed by a motorized vehicle by means of a towing mechanism that is mounted above or forward of the tow vehicle’s rear axle (typically a truck).
+ View Fifth Wheels
Travel Trailers (Including Destination Trailers)
Towable RV mounted on frame and wheels and designed to be towed by a motor vehicle that is constructed with a roof, floor and sidewalls made of rigid materials.
+ View Travel Trailers
Camping Trailers
Towable RVs mounted on a frame and wheels and designed to be towed by a motorized vehicle that is constructed with a collapsible roof and collapsible partial sidewalls that unfold and extend in the set up mode and fold back up for travel.
+ View Tent Campers
Truck Campers
Towable RVs designed to be placed in the bed of a pickup truck.
 

Range Brand

A Range Brand is the leading predominant common trademark or brand name of the respective Product Make and Product Line. Within the Coachmen Family of Products, there are only 3 (three) Range Brands: Coachmen, Sportscoach and Viking.

Product Line

A Product Line is a specific series of RV products identified by a common trademark or trade name and targeted to a market segment as determined by level of décor, opulence, equipment and price range. Product “Lines” with the same trademark or trade name are not the same unless they also share the same product “Make.” A few examples of Product Lines include: Mirada, Adrenaline, Leprechaun, Chaparral, Freedom Express, or Clipper.

Product Model

A Product Model is a specific offering within a Product Line and Make that is distinguishable by its length and interior floorplan. It typically will share all or most of the level of décor, opulence, equipment and price range characterized by other Models within the same Product Line. Examples include the 34BH Mirada, 21QB Freelander, 292BHDS Freedom Express and the 303RLS Catalina.

Weight Specification Definitions

Towable

The maximum permissible weight of the unit when fully loaded. It includes all weights, inclusive of all fluids, cargo, optional equipment and accessories. For safety and product performance do NOT exceed the GVWR.

The maximum permissible weight, including cargo, fluids, optional equipment and accessories that can be safely supported by a combination of all axles.

The typical weight of the unit as manufactured at the factory. It includes all weight at the unit’s axle(s) and tongue or pin and LP Gas. The UVW does not include cargo, fresh potable water, additional optional equipment or dealer installed accessories.

*Estimated Average based on standard build optional equipment

The amount of weight available for fresh potable water, cargo, additional optional equipment and accessories. CCC is equal to GVWR minus UVW. Available CCC should accommodate fresh potable water (8.3 lbs per gallon). Before filling the fresh water tank, empty the black and gray tanks to provide for more cargo capacity.

**Estimated average based on standard build optional equipment


Each Coachmen RV is weighed at the manufacturing facility prior to shipping. A label identifying the unloaded vehicle weight of the actual unit and the cargo carrying capacity is applied to every Coachmen RV prior to leaving our facilities.

The load capacity of your unit is designated by weight, not by volume, so you cannot necessarily use all available space when loading your unit.

Motorized

The maximum permissible weight of the unit when fully loaded. It includes all weights, inclusive of all fluids, occupants, cargo, optional equipment and accessories. For safety and product performance do NOT exceed the GVWR.

The maximum permissible loaded weight of your motor home and any towed trailer or towed vehicle. Actual GCWR of this vehicle may be limited by the sum of the GVWR and the installed hitch receiver maximum capacity rating; see hitch rating label for detail.

The maximum permissible weight, including cargo, fluids, optional equipment and accessories that can be safely supported by each axle.

The typical weight of the unit as manufactured at the factory. It includes all weight at the unit’s axle(s), including full fuel, all fluids and LP Gas. The UVW does not include cargo, fresh potable water, additional optional equipment or dealer installed accessories.

* Estimated Average based on standard build optional equipment.

The amount of weight available for fresh potable water, cargo, passengers, additional optional equipment and accessories. CCC is equal to GVWR minus UVW. Available CCC should accommodate fresh potable water (8.3 lbs per gallon). Before filling the fresh water tank, empty the black and gray tanks to provide for more cargo capacity.

** Estimated Average based on standard build optional equipment.


Each Coachmen RV is weighed at the manufacturing facility prior to shipping. A label identifying the unloaded vehicle weight of the actual unit and the cargo carrying capacity is applied to every Coachmen RV prior to leaving our facilities.

The load capacity of your unit is designated by weight, not by volume, so you cannot necessarily use all available space when loading your unit.

Actual towing capacity is dependent upon your particular loading and towing circumstances, which includes the GVWR, GAWR and GCWR as well as adequate trailer brakes. Please refer to the Operator's Manual of your vehicle for further towing information.

Find The Perfect Fit

Need help finding the Coachmen floorplan that is right for you? It’s easy! Select your RV Type, choose from a set of desired features, such as bunk beds, slide outs or construction type, set length or weight requirements and filter. We’ll suggest a list of floorplans and products that are an exact match. You’ll find the perfect fit in no time!

+ RV Finder
 
 

Towing Guidelines

When deciding which Coachmen is right for you, compare its weight shown in the specification chart to the towing limits of your tow vehicle. Because of the many variables, the process can be confusing. These guides are provided by Trailer Life magazine for your convenience as a general reference. They list the model, engine and published maximum towing capacity for the corresponding model year.

These guides do not attempt to provide all necessary information such as axle ratios, cooling systems, transmissions and any additional equipment required by the tow vehicle manufacturer to achieve the published maximum towing limits. Please be sure to verify your particular tow vehicle manufacturer's specifications. Your Coachmen dealer will be glad to help you with questions.

+ TrailerLife.COM Tow Guides

How-To Videos For Your Convenience

We have created a variety of how-to videos to help you perform general maintenance and routine tasks on your Coachmen RV. Additionally, we have partnered with some of our main suppliers to provide videos that are specific to their products being used in your Coachmen RV.

+ View Our How-To Videos

We Want To Make Your RV Buying Experience Simple And Stress Free

We also want to assist you in finding the ideal Recreational Vehicle that fits your budget. Should you be looking to finance your purchase, this Payment Estimator simply assists you in "running the numbers" to look at various scenarios to estimate your monthly payment.

We encourage you to contact your local Coachmen Dealer to assist you with your purchase decision or simply to answer any questions that you may have. Coachmen Dealers can be located through our Dealer Locator and will be happy to service your needs.

Payment Calculator